#AFT14 National Convention

Over 3,000 delegates to the AFT national convention came to Los Angeles in July. Click here to watch and share a brief video with highlights that features Connecticut union members in action and being recognized for their efforts to "Reclaim the Promise."

2014 AFT CT Convention

The theme of the 67th Annual Convention on May 17th was “Picture This.” Click here for a video shown to delegates that reminds us how without unions, workers lack the power to stand up for themselves, their families and their communities.

ER&D

The American Federation of Teachers Educational Research and Dissemination (ER&D) Program is a union-sponsored, research-based professional development program. It is designed to help local unions build the capacity to deliver high-quality professional development services, either on their own or in collaboration with their school districts.

The AFT has long recognized that a research-grounded knowledge base is essential to professional practice. The ER&D Program was created in 1981 to encourage classroom educators to improve their practice and their students’ performance by becoming users of research. The American Educational Research Association awarded ER&D its highest honor as an exemplary program that "bridges the gap between research and practice." Beginning with a single course delivered to teachers in three pilot sites, the program has now expanded to include 12 strands that are available to all union constituents—teachers, paraprofessionals, and school-related personnel—in more than 200 locals across the country.

The ER&D Program meets the criteria for "high quality professional development" as defined in the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. ER&D delivers scientifically based research in a focused, sustained framework that promotes the application of research-validated concepts and strategies.

Take Action!

Proposed legislation in Congress that would make it easier for employers to cut health benefits threatens the stability and security of millions of American workers. Click here to urge our U.S. Senators to reject raising the threshold from 30 to 40 hours a week for employees to qualify for medical insurance.